Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced he will attend the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 25, and he will become the first California governor to ever present the winner’s trophy for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I).

The Breeders’ Cup will be hosted for the fourth time by the Oak Tree Racing Association. The two-day event will be held on Oct. 24 and 25 and will be televised live on ESPN and ABC. It is the sixth time it has been held in California.

The Breeders' Cup Classic will be run as the ninth race at approximately 3:45 p.m. (PDT).

“We are extremely pleased that Gov. Schwarzenegger has chosen to attend Breeders’ Cup 25 and present the trophy for the biggest race in North America,” said Sherwood Chillingworth, Oak Tree executive vice president . “He will be presenting the Classic trophy along with Mrs. John Gaines, whose late husband was instrumental in formulating the Breeders’ Cup concept back in 1984.

“I think the governor recognizes the importance of the Thoroughbred industry here in California, and his presence on Oct. 25 does indeed lend a great deal of prestige to the event,” he added.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/4 miles, figures to have a strong international field, with reigning Horse of the Year Curlin attempting to defend his Classic title and join Tiznow as the only two-time winners of the Classic.

First post time on Friday, Oct. 24, is 11:05 a.m., and Santa Anita’s admission gates will open at 8 a.m. First post time on Saturday, Oct. 25, is 10:10 a.m., with admission gates opening at 7 a.m. For Breeders’ Cup ticketing information, call (626) 254-1300.